Method and apparatus for assisting behavioural change

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for assisting a user to formulate, apply and adhere to a changed behavior program. The user&#39;s commitment is established by presenting a number of potential barriers to implementing a desired behavioral change; asking a user to select one or more potential barriers; presenting a selected number of possible solutions to the barriers, receiving user input selecting at least one solution; and prompting the user to enter a commitment to one or more actions intended to assist the behavioral change. Maintenance of an exercise regime is assisted by displaying a selection of options for activities to be included in the exercise regime; allowing a user to select activities; displaying a schedule of planned exercise activities; and sending an electronic alert message to the user in advance of the scheduled activity.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for assisting auser to make behavioural changes, and in particular for assisting theuser to formulate, apply and adhere to a behaviour program, such as anexercise regime.

Many people find it difficult to modify their behaviour patterns to adesired mode of behaviour. Furthermore, many people find it even moredifficult to maintain such a mode of behaviour over an extended periodof time. For example, many people now recognise that a more activelifestyle involving regular sessions of exercise is a desirableobjective to obtain long term health benefits and a sense of generalwell-being. Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to know whereto start on such a suitable exercise program, difficult to overcomeperceived obstacles in starting such a program, and difficult tomaintain such a program in the face of conflicting lifestyle pressures.

For many people, the only realistic way to achieve the goal of a longterm change in exercise regime is to use the services of a professionalpersonal trainer or instructor who will plan a suitable program andconsistently provide personal support, motivation and encouragement tohelp the person maintain and adhere to the appropriate desired level ofactivity. However, this is an expensive solution that is not readilyavailable to many people, not least on the grounds of cost.

US 2003/0027116 describes a method for assisting a person in changing abehaviour such as smoking, by having the person assess quantitativelythe degree of readiness to change and the difficulty of changing abehaviour; by having the person list benefits and obstacles involved inchanging the behaviour and by devising a strategy for changing thebehaviour that includes positive reinforcement and self-efficacy.

WO 03/009260 describes a method for improving patient compliance with atreatment regimen where the patient accesses a web page, selects avirtual guide, inputs data and receives customised e-mail messages inthe style and tone of the virtual guide intended to motivate and educatethe patient.

The present invention seeks to provide an automated system for providinga user with initial and continuing practical support in the formulationand continuing application of a behavioural change such as adherence toan exercise program.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automated systemfor assisting in the creation and maintenance of an encouraging,motivational environment for a user to assist the user to adhere to amodified behaviour program.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus forassisting behavioural change in an individual, comprising:

-   -   means for receiving user input indicating one or more potential        barriers to implementing a desired behavioural change;    -   means for presenting to the user a selected number of possible        solutions to the barriers, the possible solutions being selected        from a database of solutions according to a strength of        association with or mapping from the barriers identified in said        user input;    -   means for receiving user input selecting at least one said        solution; and    -   means for prompting the user to enter a commitment to one or        more actions intended to assist the behavioural change.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofassisting behavioural change in an individual, which method comprises:

(a) identifying in the individual a barrier to implementing the desiredbehavioural change, said barrier being selected from a predeterminedlist;

(b) selecting one or more solutions to the barrier using a systemcomprising a mapping between barriers and solutions, the selected one ormore solutions having the highest strength of association with thebarrier identified in step (a);

(c) presenting the one or more solutions to the individual;

(d) verifying the individual's acceptance of the one or more solutions,with steps (b) and (c) being repeated until the individual accepts atleast one solution; and

(e) prompting the individual to enter a commitment to one or moreactions intended to assist the desired behavioural change.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatusfor assisting in maintenance of an exercise regime in an individual,comprising:

-   -   means for displaying to the user a selection of options for        activities to be included in the exercise regime;    -   means for receiving a user selection of activities and scheduled        times for the activities;    -   schedule display means for displaying a schedule of planned        exercise activities; and    -   alert means for sending an electronic alert message to the user        in advance of a scheduled activity.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a configuration of electronic dataprocessing and communication media for implementing a user behaviouralchange motivation system;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of initial operations carried out by the serverof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a web page, transmitted by the server of FIG. 1, listingbarriers to behaviour change from which the user may make a selection;

FIG. 4 is a web page, transmitted by the server of FIG. 1, listingsolutions to a selected barrier of FIG. 3 from which the user may make aselection;

FIG. 5 is a web page, transmitted by the server of FIG. 1, listingfurther solutions to the selected barrier from which the user may make aselection;

FIG. 6 is a web page, transmitted by the server of FIG. 1, summarising auser selection of barrier and solution;

FIG. 7 is a web page, transmitted by the server of FIG. 1, summarisinguser selections of barriers and respective solutions;

FIG. 8 is a web page, transmitted by the server of FIG. 1, listingpossible benefits of a behaviour change from which the user may make aselection;

FIG. 9 is a web page, transmitted by the server of FIG. 1, by which theuser may complete a schedule of planned activities;

FIG. 10 is a web page, transmitted by the server of FIG. 1, listing anumber of possible support options from which the user may make aselection; and

FIG. 11 is a web page, transmitted by the server of FIG. 1, displayingattendance and achievement data for a user.

In one aspect, the present invention recognises that for many people,the ability to adhere to a behaviour change such as an exercise programmay be strongly influenced by, for example, the involvement of one ormore third parties in the commitment either for supervision, monitoring,motivation, reminding or other interaction. One aspect of the inventionfacilitates such involvement in an automated or semi-automated mannerusing electronic data processing and communication media.

A preferred configuration of electronic data processing andcommunication media to implement a user motivation system 5 is describedin connection with FIG. 1. A server 10 provides overall control of thefunctions provided the user motivation system 5. The server 10 providesfor remote access by a plurality of users via at least one user computersystem 20 using a suitable wired or wireless network 15 such as theinternet.

The server 10 may provide a plurality of user interface web pages forinput and output of data to the user as will be described below. Theserver 10 may also provide for generation of automated e-mails to bedelivered by the network 15, as will be described below. The server 10also may provide for generation of automated text messages to bedelivered by way of a mobile telephone service provider server 25 andassociated wireless telephony network 26 to a user's mobile telephone30, as will be described in detail below. The server 10 maintains adatabase 40 of user and system information suitable for providing theuser motivation service, as will be described in detail below.

The user motivation system may also encompass a plurality of feedbacksystems for acquiring and delivering data relating to the progress ofusers of the system, such as attendance monitoring systems 50 forgathering and transmitting data relating to users' attendance atpredetermined exercise locations and exercise equipment 60, 61 forgathering and transmitting data relating to users' performance atpredetermined exercise locations.

With reference to FIG. 2, a preferred initialisation of a user'sexercise program will now be described.

A new user of the motivation system 5 logs in to the server 10 usingremote computer system 20 via an appropriate communications channel 15(step 200). After making appropriate selections to commence definitionof a new plan, an appropriate web page 100 (FIG. 3) is displayed to theuser (step 201). The ‘barriers’ web page 100 provides a list 101 ofpotential barriers to commencement and/or maintenance of an exerciseplan from barriers database file 41. The barriers are defined accordingto those commonly found by many persons attempting to achieve moreexercise. The list 101 is preferably formatted into various sections 102each under an appropriate heading. The list may be ordered orprioritised (e.g. by highlighting etc) on a dynamic basis according tothe most frequently selected by other users or according to the mostfrequently selected and successfully applied by other users of thesystem. The list may be ordered or prioritised according to thosebarriers usually most relevant to a predetermined user profile.

A user may select any of the barriers in the list 101, for example entry103 corresponding to the perceived barrier that the user dislikes thefact that exercise makes one sweaty. The server 10 receives thisselection (step 202) and transmits a new web page 110 (FIG. 4) whichoffers three ‘solutions’ 111, 112, 113 to consider for overcoming thisparticular barrier (step 203). The solutions are maintained in asolutions database file 42 linked to the barriers file 41 (FIG. 1). Theuser is also offered the opportunity to view one or more further webpages 115 (FIG. 5) which offers a further three ‘solutions’ 116, 117,118 to consider for overcoming this particular barrier.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the solutions are displayed tothe user according to a ‘strength of association’ between the selectedbarrier and the displayed solution. The strength of association ispreferably defined according to the popularity of a particular solutionas determined by existing or previous users of the system. In otherwords, the strength of association is an indicator as to how many usershave found a particular solution helpful in overcoming a barrier tochange. More preferably, the strength of association is a dynamicfeature that changes according to the most recently popular choices madeby users. A ‘star rating’ 114 may be provided on each ‘solutions’ page110, 115 as an indicator to the user of how popular or useful otherusers have found a given solution. The strength of association may beaffected by feedback on a measure of efficacy for behavioural change,such that solutions that are reported to have a higher degree of successin achieving users' objectives have a higher strength of association.The ‘measure of efficacy’ may be determined subjectively (e.g. by userfeedback) or objectively (e.g. by exercise results). The change instrength of association may be determined as a weighted balance of thosesolutions which are most popular and those which have the greatestimpact on behavioural change. The strengths of association may beapplied on a ‘whole user group’ basis (i.e. based on all users of thesystem) or on a sub-group of users having similar user profiles.

The user selects one or more of the solutions from web page 110 or 115.When this selection is received by the server 10 (step 204), the serverthen transmits a confirmation web page 120, e.g. as shown in FIG. 6. Theuser may repeat steps 201 to 204 in order to view and possibly selectmore barriers and to view and possibly select more solutions. In thepreferred embodiment, a user is invited to select only two barriers andonly one solution to each barrier in order to maintain a degree offocus. These barriers 121 and solutions 122 are displayed to the rightof the web page 120 (and subsequent web pages). In the example of FIG.6, the user has also already selected another barrier 123 and solution124, also displayed to the right of the web page 120. However, anynumber of barriers and solutions may be provided for.

Selected barriers and solutions are added to the user profile 43(FIG. 1) stored in database 40.

The user is then prompted to make a commitment (step 205, FIG. 2). Theserver 10 transmits (step 205, FIG. 2) a ‘commitment’ web page 130 (FIG.7). The commitment page 130 includes a dialogue box 131 into which theuser may enter one or more exercise commitments to start their exerciseprogram. The commitments might alternatively be provided as a list ofoptional possibilities based on the stored user profile 43. The storeduser profile 43 may have been pre-populated with user information whichcould influence the list of offered exercise possibilities. For example,the user profile 43 may include medical, biometric or physical dataindicative of what sorts of activities are appropriate for that user.The user profile 43 may also include a list of activities that areactually available to the specific user, e.g. based on the equipment andfacilities available in an associated gym or health club or otherfacility local to the user.

The server 10 receives the user commitment (step 206) and updates a usercommitment/schedule file 44 (FIG. 1). In another embodiment, not shown,the server 10 may be adapted to analyse the user commitment to determinehow ‘well-formed’ it is. This preferably includes a test for howspecific or deterministic the commitment is, particularly in terms ofmeasurable achievement; for example the server may look for specificcommitments to perform a certain type of activity (e.g. go to the gym orswimming pool) a certain number of times a week, rather than simply ‘Iintend to exercise more often’. The server may also look for specifictime commitments (e.g. I shall go to the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdaysfor at least 30 minutes. The server 10 may enter a dialogue with theuser to improve and refine the commitment to include more measurableobjectives.

Once a commitment has been established and agreed, the server may thentransmit a web page 140 (FIG. 8 and step 207) to prompt the user toreview a list 141 of possible benefits of the exercise schedule. Thelist of benefits 141 may be sorted according to the most popular userchoices. The most popular user choices may be determined on a dynamicbasis constantly reflecting choices of current and past users of thesystem. The list 141 may be populated according to user profile datafrom the user profile file 43 and/or the user commitment/schedule file44 to determine appropriate entries for inclusion in the list, or todetermine inappropriate entries for exclusion from the list. The userselects a number of benefits from the list 141 by ticking appropriatecheck boxes 142 to the left of the web page and submits the completedweb page to the server 10 (step 208).

The server then delivers (step 209) a ‘scheduler’ web page 150 (FIG. 9)to allow the user to schedule their selected activities on aweek-by-week basis. Preferably, a list of available activities appearsas a schedule key 151. Clicking an appropriate number of times in a box152 (e.g. ‘Tuesday evening’ box) selects the activity by iteratingthrough the options, e.g. swimming, running, cycling etc. Swimming hasbeen selected in the illustration. Similarly, in box 153, the gym isselected for Sunday morning. Drop down boxes 154 may be used to selectan appropriate time. Preferably, the drop down boxes 154 are controlledto only offer possible opening times of the selected required resource,e.g. gym opening times as displayed at 155, where applicable. The userselections are submitted to the server (step 210) by clicking in theappropriate submit box 156. Preferably, subsequent weeks' activities canbe scheduled using an ‘edit next week’ box 157. More sophisticatedoptions, such as ‘copy and edit last week’ may be offered forconvenience.

The allowable user selections 151 may be provided to any level of detailrequired. Although the illustrations show four basic types of activity,it will be understood that the gym activity selection could opensub-menus for specific gym programs to include different types andclasses of exercise equipment, such as treadmills, rowers, bicycles,steppers, free weights and mechanical weight lifting systems. The userselections may also include organised classes, such as step classes,aerobics classes and the like. As indicated, user selection options maybe dictated by the user profile, based on an earlier medical or fitnessassessment of the user.

The server 10 then delivers an ‘options’ web page 160 (FIG. 10) by whichthe user may submit a selection of support options to be implemented bythe system 5.

In the preferred embodiment, these options include a buddy system 161,exercise session reminders 162, kit reminders 163, benefit reminders 164and motivational reminders 165, all as will be described below.Reminders may be delivered electronically, either by e-mail, or by textor picture message over the mobile telephony network, or even byautomated voice telephone call according to the options selected fromoptions menus 166 and 167. The destination of automated reminders may beindicated in box 168. The user selections are submitted to the server(step 210) using the submit button 169.

In a preferred arrangement, the user motivation system 5 issuesautomatic electronic alert messages to the user in advance of the useractivity. This electronic alert message may comprise an exercise sessionreminder delivered a predetermined number of minutes before the time fora scheduled activity 152, 153. The number of minutes ahead of thescheduled activity time may be determined by the user to allow time toreach the activity venue. The electronic alert message may also comprisea preparation reminder delivered, for example, the evening before toremind the user to pack their kit bag for the following day's activity,if appropriate. Preferably, electronic alert messages are delivered tothe user's mobile telephone 30 via the mobile telephone network 25, 26,from server 10. Preferably, the electronic alert messages comprise SMStext messages, although picture or graphics messages may also be used.Alternatively, electronic alert messages may be delivered by e-mail tothe users computer system 20, or may be delivered as computer generatedvoice messages by telephone.

In another preferred embodiment, the user motivation system 5 includes a‘buddy’ system. The user may opt to be included in the buddy system.When the buddy system is selected, the server 10 interrogates thedatabase 40 to try to match users to support one another in exerciseactivities. The matching criteria used may be selected according to oneor more of a number of possibilities.

These include: (i) matching personality types recorded in the userprofile files 43; (ii) matching activity types, e.g. running, swimming,gym workouts etc; (iii) matching locations of activity facilities used;(iv) matching times of scheduled activities; (v) matching user'sselected barriers and/or selected solutions; (vi) matching user'sselected benefits; and (vii) matching physique/ability levels. Thematching criteria may be required to be exact matches or close matchesin respect of any or all of the applied criteria. For example, users mayindicate a willingness to vary their planned schedules in order tocoincide with another user who has common activities and commonpersonality type. The buddy system may include an ‘invite’ web pagewhere the user can invite specified buddies to specific activitysessions.

In another preferred embodiment, the user motivation system 5 provides amonitoring and feedback system to encourage the user to adhere to theactivity schedule and to provide progress reporting. In a preferredembodiment, the feedback system includes means for confirming attendanceat a scheduled activity. This could be as straightforward as the usersubmitting ‘self-certificated’ attendance confirmation by appropriateelectronic dialogue with the server 10. Preferably, however, the systemincludes a degree of automation and independence from the user. Forexample, gym attendances and attendance at organised exercise classesmay be confirmed by gym staff and class supervisors or instructorssubmitting attendance records to the server 10 by way of a suitablemonitoring device 50 (FIG. 1). This monitoring device may be a suitablecomputer connected to the network 15 for updating the server. Attendancerecords may be submitted electronically and automatically by way ofswipe cards and card readers or other suitable means 50 located atexercise activity locations so that electronic feedback can be provideddirect from the scheduled activity location to the server 10.

Preferably, the user attendance data comprises exercise achievement dataindicative of performance at specified activities. Such exercise datamay be derived directly from electronically monitored physical activitydevices such as treadmills, rowing machines, steppers and static bikes,for example. Exercise data may include, inter alia, exercise activitydurations, distances, resistances, weights, number of repetitions etc.Preferably, each physical activity device 60, 61 is provided with asuitable means for identifying the user and is connected by suitablenetwork to the server 10. In another arrangement, the user's mobiletelephone 30 or PDA device may act as the conduit between physicalactivity devices 61 and the server 10, for example using a short rangewireless communication link 62 between the physical activity device 61and the mobile telephone 30, and the conventional wireless telephonynetwork 26 between the mobile telephone and server 10.

Preferably, the attendance data is presented to the user on an‘achievement’ web page 170 (FIG. 11) delivered by the server 10. Theachievement web page 170 may include statistics on, for example, (i) thenumber of attendances per week; (ii) variances in attendances fromprevious weeks or from the schedule; (iii) exercise data showingperformance against targets; (iv) variances in performance forindividual activities, and the like.

The data may be displayed in graphical form 171 as shown in FIG. 11. Thedata for an individual's personal achievement may be supplemented withcomparative data for other users of the system so that the individualmay monitor personal progress against other users' progress. Thecomparative data may relate to all other users or only a subset of otherusers. For example, a suitable subset would be users having a similarprofile, a similar exercise regime or a similar ‘starting level’ as theindividual or members of a common ‘buddy’ group. The comparative datamay be real time data (i.e. how other users are performing now) orhistoric data (how other users performed at a similar stage of a newexercise regime to that currently being experienced by the individual).

The user motivation system 5 may also be configured to delivermotivational messages to the user at predetermined, random or calculatedintervals. The motivational messages are maintained in a file 45 in thedatabase 40. The motivational messages may be delivered by e-mail, bytext message, by picture message or by automated voice message. Themotivational messages are preferably selected based on user profile,taking into account barriers and solutions selected by the user. Themotivational messages may also be selected taking into accountcommitments and benefits selected by the user. The motivational messagesmay also be selected to take into account attendance performance againstthe user's schedule, or exercise performance against the user's targetsor previous weeks' performances. The motivational messages may also beselected taking into account the user personality type as defined in theuser profile 43 to determine the tone of the messages.

For example, where a user has fallen behind on attendance or exerciseperformance, the system 5 may, for one user personality type orcharacteristic, deliver encouraging messages to try to put the user backon target. Alternatively, for another user personality type, themessages may be more challenging or even ‘rude’ in tone. Where a userhas performed ahead of target, congratulatory messages may be sent as areward, reinforcing the good performance.

The presentation of the web pages delivered to a user computer 20 duringinteractions with the server 10 may be varied according to how well theuser is achieving their attendance or exercise performance. For example,headings, colours and messages may change according to a user'sperformance.

The motivational messages delivered to a particular user may also bedetermined according to performance of other users of the system. Forexample, the messages could include average or specific performance datarelating to a preselected cohort of users with whom the particular usershares some affinity, e.g. common exercise activities or classes, commonweight loss program, common club membership or shared workplace and thelike.

The motivational messages may also be selected from a database of tipsand hints provided by other users of the system who have overcomesimilar hurdles or barriers to exercise with whom the specific userappears to share features in common.

The motivational messages may generally be selected according to acommunication style preferred by the user, as specified in the userprofile. Communication styles may encompass personality dimensions orstyles, such as extravert, introvert, agreeable, argumentative,confrontational, passive etc. Communication styles may includecategories such as visual, auditory or kinaesthetic sensorycommunication preferences. Motivation messages could be delivered intext and/or graphics form, with still and/or moving images.

Where the ‘buddy’ system is enabled by a user, the system 5 may alert anallocated buddy when a user falls behind in attendance or performance,so that the buddy may attempt to intervene in person and encourage theuser to adhere to the schedule.

A number of other variations on the embodiments described are possible.For example, in the preferred embodiment, a commitment (steps 205, 206)is made by the user in writing, in the user's own words, (e.g. as typedtext in the commitment web page 130) to enhance the user's affinity tothe commitment. Other forms of input to the server 10 are possible. Forexample, a spoken commitment could be recorded and received which cansubsequently be used for playback to the user as motivational feedback.In another arrangement, the commitment steps could involve another useror ‘buddy’ who may also be involved in ‘witnessing’ the commitment andconfirming the commitment using another web page. Still further, theserver 10 may provide for joint commitments established for and betweenmultiple users of the system.

Not only the motivational messages may be adapted in communication styleaccording to a user profile indicating user personality and informationprocessing preferences. The communication style adaptation may alsoapply to solutions and for any other text based communication in thesystem. In another arrangement, the system may generally adapt itsappearance, layout and style of interaction with the user based oninformation received via any of the modules within the system. Themotivation system is preferably holistic in that information detectedabout the user via their interaction with any one of the processingmodules updates the global picture of that user's profile which in turncan influence the way any of the other modules is presented or interactswith the user.

In addition to a user's personality and information processingpreferences, the motivation system may also look for information on theuser's state of readiness for exercise (e.g. which ranges from ‘not atall interested in exercise’ to ‘expert exerciser’) through analysis ofuser input and/or by asking specific questions.

As an alternative to representing users with a web page showing barrierswhich the user selects and then offering solutions based thereon, anautomated text-based dialogue system may be used. In this arrangement,the user enters into a dialogue with the system (usually represented asa cartoon or human-like character). The system character initiates thedialogue by asking how the user is and asking what barriers they face intrying to exercise more. The user enters text which is automaticallyanalysed by the system and matched against the set of pre-definedbarriers. Once it has been confirmed that the appropriate barrier hasbeen identified then a solution is offered, and the user is asked ifthis is useful/acceptable. The user may answer via text response, whichagain is automatically analysed to determine if the response is negativeor positive. If the first solution is not acceptable then another twomay be presented in series. If the solutions are still not acceptable,then the system enters into dialogue again with the user to check thatthe right barrier has been identified. If another barrier is thenselected, a further set of solutions may be offered in the same style.

The style of dialogue and wording of the solutions may adapt during thedialogue interaction so that it more closely matches the userpersonality/information processing preferences. These preferences may bebased on analysis of the user input.

If the system cannot find a barrier or solution that suits the user,then the dialogue may be ended and the user directed towards the webpage based interaction already described above. Similarly, if the userfirst looks for solutions via the web page based interaction and isdetected to be finding it difficult (e.g. taking a long time, repeatedlysearching through the same solutions, not looking through barriers thatare similar to the barrier they have been stuck in for a while, then thesystem may suggest they use the text based dialogue. Thus, in a generalsense, the system may be adapted to switch between communication stylesand means for receiving user input where interaction with the user isfailing to make adequate progress towards a next stage in the process.

Other embodiments are intentionally within the scope of the accompanyingclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for assisting behavioural changein an individual, the system comprising: a server configured to: receiveuser input indicating at least one potential barrier to implementing adesired behavioural change; present to the user a selected number ofpossible solutions to the at least one potential barrier, the possiblesolutions being selected from a database of solutions according tostrength of association with the at least one potential barrieridentified in the user input, wherein strength of association is basedon popularity, among users of the system, of the possible solutions forovercoming the at least one potential barrier; receive user inputselecting at least one of said possible solutions; and prompt the userto enter a commitment to one or more actions intended to assist thebehavioural change.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the server isfurther configured to: present the user with at least one potentialbarrier to implementing a desired behavioural change.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the server is further configured to: present to theuser a list of potential benefits of the desired behavioural change; andreceive user input selecting one or more of the listed potentialbenefits which the user considers to be motivating; and delivermotivational messages to the user based on the selected potentialbenefits.
 4. The system of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein thepresenting and the receiving user input comprise an automated dialoguemodule.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the server is an internetserver.
 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the server is furtherconfigured to: receive a user selection of exercise activitiescorresponding to said one or more actions, and scheduled times for theactivities; display a schedule of planned exercise activities; and sendan electronic alert message to the user in advance of a scheduledactivity.
 7. The system of claim 6 in which the electronic alert to besent comprises a text or graphics message to the user's mobile telephoneor computing device, the message comprising an attendance reminder for ascheduled activity.
 8. The system of claim 6 in which the electronicalert to be sent comprises a text or graphics message to the user'smobile telephone or computing device, the message comprising apreparation reminder for a scheduled activity.
 9. The system of claim 6,in which the electronic alert to be sent comprises a text or graphicsmessage to the user's mobile telephone or computing device, the messagecomprising a motivation message to encourage attendance at the scheduledactivity.
 10. The system of claim 1 in which strength of association isbased on a measure of efficacy for overcoming the at least one potentialbarrier based on multiple users of the system.
 11. The system of claim 1wherein the server is further configured to receive a said commitmentfrom the user in written or spoken form.
 12. The system of claim 11wherein the server is further configured to analyse the user commitmentfor deterministic statements that can lead to measurable achievements.13. A computer-implemented method for assisting behavioural change in anindividual, the method comprising: (a) identifying, at a server, in theindividual a barrier to implementing the desired behavioural change,said barrier being selected from a predetermined list; (b) selecting, atthe server, at least one solution to the barrier using a systemcomprising a mapping between barriers and solutions, the selected atleast one solution having highest strength of association with thebarrier identified in step (a), wherein strength of association is basedon popularity, among users of the system, of the at least one solutionfor overcoming the barrier; (c) presenting the at least one solution tothe individual; (d) verifying the individual's acceptance of the atleast one solution, with steps (b) and (c) being repeated until theindividual accepts at least one solution; and (e) prompting theindividual to enter a commitment to one or more actions intended toassist the desired behavioural change.
 14. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 13 further including the step of: identifying from theindividual at least one perceived benefit of the desired behaviouralchange which the individual considers to be motivating, said benefitbeing selected from a predetermined list.
 15. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 14 further including the step of: deliveringmotivational messages to the user based on the selected potentialbenefits.
 16. The computer-implemented method of claim 14 wherein saidbarrier and said at least one perceived benefit is identified by theindividual interacting with an automated dialogue module.
 17. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the methodis implemented for an individual via electronic communications.
 18. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 13 wherein the system providesreminders for one or more of the actions in a program of actions. 19.The computer-implemented method according to claim 18 wherein thereminders are provided by electronic mail or mobile telephony.
 20. Thecomputer-implemented method according to claim 13 wherein theinformation provided in steps (a) and (d) is used to generate a userprofile and the user profile is compared with other user profiles storedin the system to identify a profile match.